(L to R): Commissioner Tommy Rollins, Commissioner  Wendell Dion, Drew James (Director, EMS), Archie Roberson (EMS), Commissioner Alfred Cason, and Commissioner Darrell Nobles

The May meeting of the Toombs County Commission was held Tuesday night, and in the absence of Chairman David Sikes, Vice Chairman Wendell Dixon handled the business of the county proficiently and swiftly.

One of the highlights of the meeting was honoring the men and women who literally save lives in the community. With the unanimously approval of Toombs Commissioner, the week of May 21 – 27 was declared EMS Week, and Commissioner Dixon read a proclamation to that effect.

In the public participation part of the meeting Elizabeth Ibarra, the owner of Centenaria, formerly the Silverado located on Hwy. #1 outside of Lyons, asked the Commissioners to consider granting a license to her to use the building as a special events venue.

“We bought that building in 2019 and did a lot of renovations,” Ibarra said. “We are currently using it for weddings and other things, and it’s booked nearly every other weekend. Those are private and booked events, but we’d like to hold things there for the public and are asking you to consider a special events license like the City of Vidalia for things like the Onion Festival.”

According to her, there have been no complaints in the neighborhood against the establishment, and there is off-duty law enforcement at the facility during events.

“Before we opened, we went to people who live in the area and told them what our plans were, and no one had any problems with it then or since,” Ibarra said.

The Commissioners gave no comment on her request at the meeting but did say they would send her request to the appropriate committee for discussion and would get back with her on their decision.